ASS. 431 



tremely shy and vigilant, and, like the former 

 animals, dart oil' with the utmost rapidity, on the 



t of mankind. They have been at all ti 

 celebrated tor their swiftness. The. ir voice resem- 



that of the common or domesticated Ass, but 

 is Nomcwhat shriller. 



l-'roni this animal the domestic Ass lias been 

 gradually derived, which admits of considerable 

 varieties as to sue, beauty, and strength, in dif- 

 ferent countries. Those of the eastern pan 

 the world, as well ;LS those of Africa, still pan. 

 in a jrreat decree, of the native elegance of their 

 original or .stock; and are very different t. 

 those- commonly seen in the northern parts of 

 Kuropc ; for this animal seems to he much in- 

 jured by the influence of a comparatively cold cli- 



e. 



The general run of l.uropcan Asses have large 

 slouching cars, a heavy appearance, and arc of an 

 ash-colour, more or less deep in different indi- 

 viduals, with a blackMi dorsal stripe, crossed by 

 another over the shoulders, and thus exhibit- 



the original mark of their species. In their 

 manners they exhibit no superior marks of .saga- 

 city, but have the merit of beingpatient, <piict, and 

 tractable, and are chiefly employed in the inferior 

 offices of servitude. The A-, i> observed to be 

 tcmpciatc in his food, and by no means de- 



te in the choice of it; eating thistles, and a 

 variety of coarse herbage which the horse refuses. 

 He is said to be particularly fond of plantain, 

 which he will neglect every other herb of the 



